March 5, 2017

Did you know our beautiful home state of New York occupies just about 8.5 million people? Imagine how many face-to-face interactions each New Yorker deals with every day. It’s constant when you walk down a busy avenue—panhandlers, sales people, and the casual conversation in a crowd of people waiting for the crosswalk signal to change. Wouldn’t it be embarrassing to speak to each person with foul smelling breath because the bacteria in your mouth hasn’t been properly removed? Or if when you smiled a thin layer of plaque was still visible from earlier that morning. You wouldn’t want to interact with anyone with bad oral hygiene, right? Keep each instance you meet with anyone pleasant with good brushing habits, including changing your toothbrush when it’s appropriate! Your Tappan dentist will help you recognize when it’s time to replace your “old faithful” toothbrush.

When should I replace my toothbrush?

Out with the old, in with the new! The rule of thumb is to replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months. If you see the bristles of your brush starting to bend and crinkle up, it’s definitely time for a replacement toothbrush (even if this occurs before you’ve used this toothbrush for 3 months). Frayed bristles don’t clean as thoroughly and may not be preventing you from severe dental problems like a new toothbrush could. Another way to remind yourself is to remember that you should replace your toothbrush just about halfway between your next dental appointment. A part of good oral hygiene is visiting your dentist every six months, so just about halfway to your next meeting with your dentist, replace you and your family’s toothbrushes.

Which type of toothbrush should I get?

When you’re looking to get a new toothbrush, Washington Dental Associates recommends that you choose between two brushes: manual and electric. Ideally, we want you to choose whichever is more comfortable for you so that you feel good about your dental routine.

If you decide to get a manual toothbrush, be sure to get a soft bristled brush. The bristles on a soft bristled brush are more effective in cleaning hard to reach areas and more flexible.

If you decide to get an electric toothbrush, consider that it’s not as easy to tote around and must be charged regularly. If that won’t come in between your regular dental habits, then go for it! The rotating motion of the bristles make it easier to clean between teeth and at the gum line.

Why is it important to replace my toothbrush often?

Besides normal wear and tear on your toothbrush, there are more important reasons why buying new toothbrushes help keep your dental health up to par. It may seem like your toothbrush is working fine, but you may be exposing yourself to bacteria build-up especially if your toothbrush doesn’t have the space to airdry. If you’ve been sick, you will need to change your toothbrush because dangerous bacteria and viruses can harbor within your toothbrush. You may be feeling better one day, brush your teeth, and get sick all over again!

Your oral health is important. Regular brushing habits are just one part of maintaining excellent at-home dental care. In order to keep your teeth and gums healthy, practice flossing once a day as well as visiting one of the many great dentists at Washington Dental Associates. We’re happily accepting new and returning patients. Our office wants you to have the best smile possible!

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